YOUR VIEW: Why I am a Republican

I grew up on a farm. Both of my parents worked hard to provide food for our table and clothes on our backs. My parents instilled, in my siblings and me, the value of hard work and taking responsibility for ourselves and our actions. They also taught us the importance of God our lives. It is because of these values impressed on me by my parents from an early age, that I am a Republican.

Comment

By Diane Pung

Ionia Sentinel - Standard-Ionia, MI

By Diane Pung

Posted Mar. 21, 2013 at 11:28 AM
Updated Mar 21, 2013 at 11:29 AM

By Diane Pung

Posted Mar. 21, 2013 at 11:28 AM
Updated Mar 21, 2013 at 11:29 AM

PORTLAND, Mich.

I grew up on a farm. Both of my parents worked hard to provide food for our table and clothes on our backs. My parents instilled, in my siblings and me, the value of hard work and taking responsibility for ourselves and our actions. They also taught us the importance of God our lives. It is because of these values impressed on me by my parents from an early age, that I am a Republican.

One of the core principles of the Republican Party is maintaining control locally and limiting the power of the Federal Government. As Ronald Reagan said “Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.” We as Americans need to take responsibility for ourselves and not wait for the government to take care of us. The more we take from the government, the more we depend on it. This dependency limits our freedom.

The Republican Party believes in the value of human life from conception to natural death. It is a fundamental individual right, which cannot be infringed upon. Pope John Paul II said, ”American you are beautiful … and blessed … the ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless. If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life.”

Other core values which are equally important are family values, freedom, liberty and fiscal responsibility. These are the values that make us strong, which makes America strong - the kind of strong America we want to leave our children and grandchildren.